CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

FACTS AND RESOURCES

Taylor’s University is closely monitoring the situation and responding to the measures taken to combat COVID-19 as quickly and responsibly as possible. As the situation continues to progress rapidly, our top priority is the health and safety of our students and staff, while ensuring learning continuity for students to complete their courses and graduate.

With the campus closure of all educational institutions enforced under the national Movement Control Order (MCO), we have taken decisive measures to ensure teaching and learning for all programmes will continue to be delivered as planned, as all activities will be conducted fully online. We will continue to update the community regularly to keep you informed of additional measures.

LATEST UPDATES

1 June:

The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Malaysia has announced the phased opening of higher education institutions nationally, beginning with the 1st phase for the following categories of students: Post-graduate students under research mode, final semester or final year students, and students who experience difficulty in accessing online classes from home. For more, read here.

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Our campus is open for education counselling, and our team is ready to assist you. During this period, we are adhering to strict guidelines including practising social distancing and temperature checks on premise. Schedule an appointment with us and we’ll take care of the rest.

10 May:

Our Prime Minister made the latest announcement that the current Conditional Movement Control Order will be extended for another four weeks until 9 June.

Students and staff members are advised to continue adhering to the regulations and advises by the Health Ministry to practice social distancing, ensure good personal hygiene practices and to take preventive measure to protect yourselves and loved ones.

2 May:

Following from our Prime Minister YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's nationwide address, all colleges and higher learning institutions and universities are to remain closed under the Conditional Movement Control Order.

With this latest announcement, Taylor's Lakeside Campus will continue delivering teaching and learning for all programmes until further notice.

13 April:

To support our students during this challenging time, we have established the Taylor's Financial Hardship Fund to ensure learning continuity for students who have been adversely affected by COVID-19.

Students seeking financial assistance can submit their applications online via the Taylor's Mobile App from 15 April (Wednesday) onwards.

In addition, we have also initiated an Instalment Payment Scheme to allow students the ability to defer payments until a later date in order to ease some of the financial burdens.

Following the latest announcement made by the Prime Minister on the extension of the nationwide movement restrictions to 28 April (Tuesday), the Taylor’s Lakeside Campus will remain closed until further notice.

However, teaching and learning for all programmes commencing 13 April (Monday) including e-Orientation on 10 April (Friday) will continue to be delivered as planned, as all activities will be conducted fully online.

While we can resume Face to Face classes once the Movement Control Order (MCO) is lifted, we understand that parents and students will want to continue their studies in a safe environment. We have decided that limited laboratory and studio-based classes will be held on campus after the MCO is lifted, while all lectures and tutorials will continue online in an engaged digital learning environment until 31 May (Sunday). This will ensure a minimum number of students on campus at a given time. These decisions, though difficult, were made with the aim to safeguard our students and staff and learning continuity as we move through the March 2020 semester.

PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered strain of the coronavirus and can cause illnesses ranging in severity from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The infected individual with the COVID-19 virus will experience high body temperature (38 and above), develop cough and have mild to moderate respiratory illness. The coronavirus affects people of all ages but older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and asthma appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill from the virus.

To do your part to prevent and slow down transmission of the virus, be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, how it spreads and ways you can protect yourself and others. Safeguard yourself and others by maintaining good personal hygiene, including washing your hands frequently with soap or using an alcohol-based sanitiser and avoid touching your face.

We highly encourage all members of the Taylorian community to practice the following social distancing techniques:

Maintain at least 1-meter distance between yourself and others in public places, especially from those who are coughing, sneezing and have a fever.

Avoid close contact, including handshakes.

Wear face mask if you must leave the house

World Health Organisation (WHO) provides explanation on the current situation and here are some helpful links to protect yourself:

To track the latest information on Coronavirus, you can also follow CoronaTracker site – where our Taylor’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences are contributing research and information, to ensure only legitimate news are shared on the site.

For more information by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (MOH), please visit www.moh.gov.my.

LEARN REMOTELY

With the campus closure of all educational institutions enforced under the national Movement Control Order (MCO), e-Learning is undeniably the only teaching and learning option available, and we appreciate our students’ support and willingness to adapt to online learning. This decision aligns with our priority to protect the health and safety of our community and learning continuity. Check out E-Learning & Innovations for helpful resources and information.

We are continuously enhancing a wide range of student resources and services provided to meet students’ learning and support needs. Laboratory and studio-based classes for all critical skills will be held on campus after the MCO is lifted. This will help ensure students complete the semester as scheduled and their programme duration is not extended.

Effective 13 April (Monday) and until further notice:

A customised delivery and assessment plan are sent to all existing students which will come into effect from 13 April until 31 May from respective schools.

For new students, the orientation programme will commence on 10 April (Friday) for both Taylor’s College and Taylor’s University and this will be done online to ensure social distancing is practiced. By now, you should have received the e-Orientation FAQs, followed by the e-Orientation Guide on 6 April (Monday).

All regular classes for new and returning students will commence via e-learning in TIMeS (student learning management system) from 13 April (Monday) until 31 May (Sunday). For new students, the guide to using TIMeS will be shared with you during orientation. This is to be accessed from the safety of your home as you are not required to meet with fellow students or lecturers face to face. All interactions will strictly be done via online chats that are available. Face to Face lectures, tutorials, practicals and assessment will commence from 1 June (Monday).

In-person examinations will be replaced with alternative forms of assessments conducted online or in other forms. An alternative online assessment is not a lesser form of assessment, but a different assessment to achieve the same aim.

E-LEARNING AT TAYLOR'S

Taylor’s award-winning Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and learning innovations use multiple technologies and helps mitigate the risk of interruptions to daily teaching and learning activities caused by, but not limited to, the outbreak of diseases and other disasters. Since 2012, its e-Learning Innovations has won over 35 national and international awards.

FAQ ON STUDENT PASS & VISA DURING MOVEMENT CONTROL ORDER (MCO)

GENERAL QUESTIONS

If I am in Malaysia and my pass has expired during MCO, what should I do?

According to the statement issued by the Home Ministry Affairs dated 21 March 2020, if any foreigners have overstayed during MCO, we can still process the pass within 14 days after MCO ends. (refer to FAQ by Ministry of Home Affairs #17)

Students will not be penalized due to overstay as long as we process within the timeline.

Please come to IO for advice after MCO ends.

If I am overseas and my pass expired during MCO because I cannot enter Malaysia to renew my pass, what should I do?

According to the statement issued by the Home Ministry Affairs dated 21 March 2020, if any foreigners pass have expired overseas during MCO period, you have to return to Malaysia within 3 months after the MCO ends. (refer to FAQ by Ministry of Home Affairs #19)

You have to process your pass renewal or extension within one month from your date of arrival. (refer to FAQ by Ministry of Home Affairs #19)

Please come to IO immediately after you return to Malaysia.

I wanted to leave Malaysia but due to flight cancellation or cannot get flight ticket, I am stuck in Malaysia and my pass has expired. What should I do?

If you can get the flight ticket to leave Malaysia during MCO, you can leave without renewing your pass. ( refer to FAQ by Ministry of Home Affairs #17)

If you still cannot leave Malaysia after the MOC ends, please come to IO after MCO ends, to seek advice and help and do not purchase flight tickets first.

Immigration Malaysia allows you to apply Special Pass with the condition that your travel documents are valid. (refer to FAQ by Ministry of Home Affairs #16)

How to contact IO during MCO if I have questions on student pass & visa related matters?

Please refer to the IO contact above.

VAL APPLICATION

Is EMGS still processing VAL during MCO?

All applications are pending during MCO as both EMGS and Immigration Malaysia offices are closed during MCO.

Processing of applications will resume after MCO ends.

Can I still apply for VAL during MCO?

Yes, Taylor’s will still accept applications and will key-in the softcopy to EMGS system. Taylor’s will also continue to process the EMGS payment request. The progress in EMGS will only start after the MCO ends.

VAL APPROVED

If my VAL is already approved but I can’t enter Malaysia due to the MCO, what if it is expired after the MCO ends? Can I still come in?

IO is uncertain whether students have to re-apply the VAL or it can be extended due to special circumstance. IO has raised this concern to EMGS. EMGS has also no definite answer because EMGS has to refer to Immigration Malaysia which the office is closed during MCO.

However, once the MCO ends, if you are in this situation, please contact IO and we shall bring your case to EMGS and Immigration Malaysia to seek for an amicable solution.

For the time-being, do not worry. IO will do our best to assist.

I have applied for SEV (Single Entry Visa) before the MCO started and now I am stuck. Can I still come to Malaysia using the SEV if my SEV expired after MCO ends?

When MCO ends, please refer to the nearest Malaysia Embassy in your country to request to renew / re-apply the SEV.

If the embassy refuses to renew or allow you to re-apply your SEV, you may write to IO and we shall bring your case to EMGS and Immigration Malaysia to seek for a solution.

NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ARRIVAL

have not done my medical check-up because after arriving in Malaysia, the MCO started. The EMGS guide said I should do medical check-up within 7 days of arrival. What should I do?

You can do the medical check-up after MCO ends under this extraordinary circumstance.

Make sure you contact Student Welfare staff at Block B, Level 1 or call the Student Welfare hotline for the medical check-up arrangement immediately after the MCO ends.

I have arrived in Malaysia and before I can submit my passport, the MCO started. My entry pass has expired and I have yet to submit my passport to IO. I am worried about my overstay.

During MCO, EMGS and Immigration Offices are closed. IO is not able to submit the passport to EMGS.

According to the statement issued by the Home Ministry Affairs dated 21 March 2020, if any foreigners have overstayed during MCO, we can still process the pass within 14 days after MCO ends. (refer to FAQ by Ministry of Home Affairs #17)

Students will not be penalized due to overstay as long as we process within the timeline.

Please come to IO for advice after MCO ends.

I have my passport with me and I want to return to my home country due to the uncertainty. However, my entry pass has expired. Can I still leave Malaysia?

If your travel document is still valid and you can get the flight ticket to leave Malaysia, you may leave. (refer to FAQ by Ministry of Home Affairs #17)

You just have to explain to the Immigration at airport that you are not able to get an earlier flight ticket.

After you leave Malaysia, please send a clear copy of your exit stamp to internationaloffice@taylors.edu.my. This is important.

If you still cannot leave Malaysia after the MOC ends, please come to IO after MCO ends, to seek advice and help and do not purchase flight tickets first.

Immigration Malaysia allows you to apply Special Pass with the condition that your travel documents are valid. (refer to FAQ by Ministry of Home Affairs #16)

EXISTING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

I am in Malaysia and my student pass has expired during MCO. What should I do?

According to the statement issued by the Home Ministry Affairs dated 21 March 2020, if any foreigners have overstayed during MCO, we can still process the pass within 14 days after MCO ends. (refer to FAQ by Ministry of Home Affairs #17)

Students will not be penalized due to overstay as long as we process within the timeline.

Please come to IO for advice after MCO ends.

My student pass is expiring and I have not submitted my documents for renewal. What should I do? (For both students in Malaysia and Overseas)

Please submit your documents required for renewal to IO. You should have received email reminding of your renewal and what to do. Kindly follow the instruction in the emails sent to you.

If you have any queries, you can contact IO through email or WhatsApp.

If I am overseas and my pass has expired and due to the no entry during MCO, I cannot come back to renew my pass.

According to the statement issued by the Home Ministry Affairs dated 21 March 2020, if any foreigners pass have expired overseas during MCO period, you have to return to Malaysia within 3 months after the MCO ends.( refer to FAQ by Ministry of Home Affairs #19)

You have to process your pass renewal or extension within one month from your date of arrival. (refer to FAQ by Ministry of Home Affairs #19)

Please come to IO immediately after you return to Malaysia.

If I would like to defer my current semester and my student pass is only expiring in a few months’ time, I cannot do cancellation during MCO, can I still leave?

After you leave Malaysia, you have to email a clear scanned copy of your exit stamp page, biodata page and student pass sticker page to internationaloffice@taylors.edu.my.

Please also write an explanation letter to IO of the reason you couldn’t process your pass cancellation.

If I am overseas and would like to defer my semester, can I return to Malaysia to resume my studies in the next semester when the situation has improved? My deferment is more than 3 months and I didn’t do cancellation?

Yes, you can return to Malaysia the next semester when the situation allowed.

If your student pass renewal is due in four months’ time or less and you have received email from IO to submit your documents to renew your pass, please email the softcopies to IO as instructed in the email.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENTERING MALAYSIA

After the MCO ends and Malaysia opens its border to foreigners, what is the procedure of entering Malaysia? Do I still need to quarantine for 14 days?

There is no new update on the procedure. If we follow the current procedure which is before the implementation of MCO, all international students who enter Malaysia must self quarantine or home surveillance for 14 days from the date of arrival.

New students must report to Student Welfare, follow by medical checkup and self-quarantined for 14 days.

Existing students must inform your school so that we can keep track of your returned and self-quarantined.

All students will be provided the Home Assessment Tool (HAT) to selfmonitor Covid-19 symptoms.

On the self-quarantined, you have to inform and arrange with your hostel management personnel before you come. Your hostel management may have their own procedures.

If there is any changes or update on self-quarantined procedure from the Malaysia government, we shall keep you informed.

WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS DURING MCO?

You must stay at home at all time.

You only go out if you need to buy food or daily essential things or go to clinic (if unwell) nearest to your house (within 10 km) and NOT after 6 pm.

If I go out, I must be alone, not in pairs or groups.

It will be better to go online shopping or order food delivery (order before 7 pm).

I must wear face mask when I go out.

I must wash my hands frequently with water and soap or hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Police can catch you and charge you in court for MCO non-compliance if you go out without valid reason and in pairs or group. The penalty is fine of maximum RM1,000 or 6 months in prison or both.

Please keep yourself safe and healthy at all times.

Note: All information above is provided as a guide and reference. The information is subjected to change from time to time by the Malaysia government.

TAYLORIAN'S EFFORTS

Is There Any Treatment for the Coronavirus Disease?

With the loosening of MCO, will there be a second-wave of COVID-19 infections? Here’s what these experts have to say about testings, treatments, and the new normal with COVID-19.

The Social Textiles movement is a consolidation of production partners and makers, consisting of impact-focused individuals, organisations, and communities which aims to deliver PPEs to frontline organisations through a sustainable business model.

The TMM team took up the initiative to design and mass produce face shields for front liners. As of 14th April 2020, they have raised sponsorship funds of up to RM139,498, produced over 20,000 face shields, over 21,000 Replacements, over 1400 Aerochambers, and over 50 isolation boxes.

Donating LaunchPads during the MCO

Residents have come together to aid 250 refugee women and girls during the Movement Control Order. Over 500 reusable sanitary pads were delivered via Express Post to vulnerable refugees identified by the Rohingya Society in Malaysia (RSM), the Somali Refugee Centre (SRC) and members of the public.

The World economy faces an unprecedented challenge due to a dual shock generated by the lockdown of almost 3 billion people globally. Even though people stay home and practice social distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19; they also interrupt majority of national and international productions.